Busia Woman Representative Omanyo Calls for Patience as Finance Bill 2026 Debate Gains Momentum
By Peace Muthoka
Busia Woman Representative Catherine Omanyo has urged Kenyans to remain calm and avoid misinformation surrounding the proposed Finance Bill 2026, insisting that no new taxes have been introduced as the bill is yet to be tabled in Parliament.
Speaking during an exclusive interview at Serena Hotel in Nairobi on Tuesday, Omanyo called on citizens to seek facts and avoid being swayed by speculation regarding the proposed tax measures.
The legislator spoke on the sidelines of a high-level engagement involving women lawmakers and key stakeholders on the Finance Bill 2026 and the Annual National Shadow Budget for the 2026/2027 financial year.
The meeting, organized by the Institute of Public Finance and the Kenya Human Rights Commission, brought together members of the Kenya Women Parliamentary Association to deliberate on tax justice, gender-responsive budgeting and inclusive fiscal policies.
During the discussions, stakeholders emphasized the need for fair and transparent taxation while exploring alternative ways of raising public revenue, including the possible introduction of a wealth tax. Additionally, the forum highlighted the importance of understanding how taxation affects women, men, youth and vulnerable groups differently.
However, Omanyo cautioned against what she described as growing propaganda around the Finance Bill, urging Kenyans to wait for the official proposals before making conclusions.
“I want to urge all Kenyans to be patient because we do not know where some of these reports are coming from. If something has not even been tabled yet, then who tabled it for them?” she posed.
At the same time, she dismissed claims that taxes on goods and services directly affecting ordinary citizens had already been increased. Instead, she emphasized that taxation remains essential for national development, provided it does not place an unfair burden on citizens.
“It is our responsibility as a nation to pay taxes, but we must also ensure the taxation system does not hurt Kenyans,” she said.
According to Omanyo, the Finance Bill 2026 seeks to strike a balance between raising government revenue and protecting livelihoods, particularly for small-scale traders and vulnerable populations.
“The Finance Bill this year is going to be fair. It has touched everyone from the grassroots, making sure that nobody is suffocated,” she added.
Furthermore, the lawmaker argued that Kenya must support policies capable of unlocking employment opportunities, attracting investments and improving livelihoods, especially for unemployed youth.
She noted that the bill also seeks to address the welfare of informal workers and elderly citizens who retire without pensions despite working throughout their lives.
“There are people who retire with pensions, but others have worked their whole lives without a payslip and have nothing to rely on in old age. We must think about such people,” she said.
Meanwhile, Omanyo challenged Kenyans to critically question leaders and groups calling for the outright rejection of the Finance Bill before understanding its contents.
“Let us not buy propaganda. Let us wait for the Finance Bill and allow Parliament to make it workable and acceptable for all Kenyans,” she said.
The engagement forms part of broader efforts to strengthen governance and promote equitable fiscal policies that align taxation with social and economic justice while ensuring no group is left behind.
